Fusarium species associated with rhizosphere soil and diseased roots of eastern white pine seedlings and associated nursery soil

Fusarium species isolated from necrotic roots of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) seedlings in two nurseries included F. acuminatum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, F. oxysporum var. redolens, F. proliferatum, F. sambucinum, F. solani, and F. sporotrichioides. In addition, all but F. sambucinum were isolated from the rhizosphere; all, in addition to F. graminearum, were also isolated from nonrhizosphere soil. Fusarium oxysporum, F. oxysporum var. redolens, and F. proliferatum were the most prevalent taxa in roots and nonrhizosphere soil. These three taxa plus F. solani predominated in rhizosphere soil. Species prevalence differed by site and date of collection, e.g. F. proliferatum was present at only one site. At least seven species of Fusarium were associated with seedling root rot and their prevalence differed according to site and time of year.